Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden’s expression remained impassive. “It’s that time of day.”
Baffled, Gerry pressed further, “What time?”
“It usually happens around this time,” Caden explained flatly.
Gerry was left speechless, glancing down at himself, puzzled by his own body’s routines.
Meanwhile, Alicia, who had arrived by taxi and planned to leave the same way, was offered a ride by Gerry. “Ride with me, Alicia. It’s not safe to carry such a valuable painting alone at night.”
Grateful, Alicia accepted his offer.
As they moved to load the painting into Gerry’s car, Caden approached Alicia with a tube of ointment.
Recognizing it, Alicia realized it was the same ointment Caden had used previously to soothe her bruises-expensive and effective due to its rarity.
Caden spoke indifferently, “It works on other bruises too. I don’t need it. If you don’t want it, just throw it away. Whatever you decide.”
Alicia paused, momentarily caught off guard as she remembered the forgotten bruise on her knee. The pain seemed trivial now. After hesitating briefly, she took the ointment. The tube felt warm in her hand, as though Caden had been holding onto it this entire time. This realization sparked a fleeting, complex emotion, subtly changing the air between them.
Looking to escape the tension, Alicia turned to Gerry. “Mr. Hopkins, can we leave now?”
Gerry, noting the end of their conversation, finished up with the trunk. “All set,” he announced.
As Caden walked away, Alicia found herself watching his retreating form. Their relationship had been fraught with intense moments but lacked a solid foundation. It was over, decisively so. Their shared history seemed erased, leaving nothing but a profound sense of loss. Alicia only looked away once Caden had completely vanished from sight.
Turning back, she caught Gerry watching her, his expression concerned. Taken aback, she listened as he spoke plainly.
“So, you have feelings for Caden too. I thought he was the one pursuing you.”
With a bitter smile, Alicia responded, “We’re talking about Caden Ward here. I’m sure countless women want to be with him.”
“Why aren’t you together then?” Gerry asked, puzzled. “Is there still resentment from that past competition?”
Alicia looked down, her feelings a mix of uncertainty and reflection, unsure how to answer.
Gerry observed Alicia’s silence and speculated he was correct, prompting him to ask, “Joshua told you that Caden had bribed the judges in that competition, right?”
Alicia, taken aback by the abrupt reference, sensed something amiss. “Mr. Hopkins, what exactly are you implying?”
Choosing to clarify, Gerry shared, “Actually, you were the rightful winner of that competition. Even Caden was taken by surprise when the results were altered. He confronted the judges, who revealed that the decision was influenced by the organizers favoring the powerful Ward family, not by Caden.”
Alicia felt a tightness in her chest, stunned by the revelation.
The issue had been a sore point for her, but her recent interactions with Caden had somewhat dulled its sting. Nevertheless, hearing Gerry confirm her suspicions was a jolt to her system.
Was his story accurate?
Her questioning gaze prompted Gerry to explain further. “Caden was outraged when he discovered the truth and confronted the organizers. However, given the tension between you two at the time, he didn’t feel he could share this with you and decided to leave the country instead. This misunderstanding allowed Joshua to defame him. You know the animosity that developed between them. Alicia, it was naive of you to take Joshua’s word.”
The weight of past misconceptions settled heavily on Alicia’s chest. She responded bitterly, “That year, my parents had an accident. It clouded my judgment.”
She struggled with the painful realization that she had misjudged Caden, who had always been a straightforward competitor.
“Then why didn’t he clarify things when he returned?” Her voice trembled with emotion.
Gerry exhaled deeply. “You two have always clashed from the start. If he admitted anything, it would feel like conceding to you, and Caden’s too competitive for that. He’s been that way since childhood. He would never allow himself to seem lesser.”
As someone deeply familiar with Caden’s history, Gerry naturally empathized with him.
“Caden changed after his mother’s accident. When I asked him why he didn’t defend his reputation, he told me he was already so disliked that one more accusation didn’t matter.”
Alicia’s lips tightened, a lump forming in her throat. “I know.”
Aware of the hardships Caden had faced, Alicia felt her resolve waver, contemplating reconciliation. Yet, the thought left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
“I never imagined things between you two would turn out this way,” Gerry commented. “He’s never really loved anyone before. But I believe he still has feelings for you,” he added, seeing something deeper in Caden’s actions.
Alicia quickly regained her composure. “Men can show interest in numerous women simultaneously,” she retorted.
“That might be true for others, but not for Caden,” Gerry asserted with conviction.
“Really? Then explain who he was meeting at the airport recently?” Alicia challenged, skeptical of Caden’s affections.
Gerry paused, momentarily caught off guard by the mention of Yolanda.
“Well, regarding that, Caden and her-” he stumbled, unsure of how to explain, reflecting his own confusion about Caden’s feelings towards Yolanda.
Caden maintained his distance, yet at the airport, he embraced her amidst swirling rumors, remaining passive about the gossip.
Did Caden truly desire both women?
The tension in the air escalated. Alicia fell silent, her thoughts entangled.
Returning to his apartment, Caden entered and surveyed the room. Each glance deepened the chill on his features.
Earlier, upon seeing Alicia, he wondered if she still harbored feelings for him. Yet, her purpose was clear-she was there to collect her belongings.
He had misjudged her resolve. Alicia appeared gentle, but her decisiveness left no room for negotiation.
Stepping inside, he noticed the absence of the small, irritating items that once cluttered the space, leaving him with an unexpected sense of hollowness.
Did he regret his actions? Absolutely.
Yet, he believed he had exhausted all his efforts. Alicia had consistently rejected his attempts-both tender and forceful-refusing to compromise any further. Tossing aside an unlit cigarette, he made his way to the bedroom for a shower.
As he approached the bed, he realized the pink bedding was gone. Though he had always disliked the color, its removal symbolized something deeper-a complete severance.
Was she trying to erase their past entirely?
His expression darkened further with each thought. Consumed by a rising anger, he stepped into the bathroom, but the cool water of the shower barely masked his frustration.
Emerging from the bathroom, he found a message from Gerry.
“I’ve dropped her off.”
Typically unreliable, Gerry had at least managed to handle this task effectively. Caden ignored the message, lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves.
As his eyes scanned the apartment, he was painfully reminded of their intimate moments that had filled every corner. Her presence lingered in the air, rekindling desires the shower had only briefly subdued.
Feeling overwhelmed, he admitted to himself her undeniable allure.
He knew too well that if she were to return, resisting her would be futile.
Exiting the bedroom, his phone vibrated.
Without checking who it was, he answered gruffly, “Speak,” his tone heavy with defiance.
There was a pause on the other end before a soft voice finally said, “Caden, it’s me.”
Caden paused, taking a moment before replying, “Speak.”
Alicia, having just arrived at her hotel, took a deep breath before speaking. Despite Caden’s typically detached tone, she gathered her courage and said, “About that competition back then, I now understand the full story.”
Caden was caught off guard by her mention of it but dismissed it casually. “So?”
“I realized I misunderstood you and held onto resentment for a long time,” Alicia admitted softly.
“The competition isn’t the only reason you resented me,” Caden replied coolly.
Their history was complex. After constantly being overshadowed by him, Alicia had distanced herself. His presence had once sent a chill through her.
Now, reunited under different circumstances, her gaze softened, a stark contrast to the aloofness of the past.
Caden felt a mix of emotions, his long-suppressed desires resurfacing.
Alicia, sensing his apathy yet unable to read his thoughts, continued, “I still need to apologize.”
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the occasional sound of his deep breaths.
Hesitantly, she asked, “Will you accept my apology?”
Caden’s response was blunt. “I never accept verbal apologies.”
Alicia hadn’t expected him to take the matter so seriously, and for a moment, words failed her. If he refused to accept her simple apology, then what did he want? A meal? Some other form of compensation? That didn’t seem like Caden’s style.
Before she could dwell on it, his deep, smooth voice cut through the silence. “Are you really sorry?”
Even over the phone, the weight of his tone sent a shiver down her spine. She felt light-headed, as though she were teetering on the edge of a trap she hadn’t seen coming.
“Yes,” she replied, though with some hesitation. “But… even though I didn’t like you, it’s not like you were affected, right?”
So, shouldn’t a verbal apology be enough?
Caden let out a low chuckle, but it was anything but amused. “You say you’re sorry, but you’re so quick to back away.”
At this, Alicia fell silent. Guilt gnawed at her, though pride made her insistent on proving her sincerity. “Then… how do you want me to prove just how sorry I am?”
His scoff echoed in her ear, making her wince. “Don’t you already know?”
Alicia froze. In that instant, she understood exactly what he wanted.
Her first instinct was to hang up on him. But Caden, calm as ever, added, “I won’t force you. No need to be so scared of me.”